Emily Gillman (pictured) will join Audrey Judd as new Huskers in 2014-15.

Photo Courtesy None

Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications

11/15/2013

Lincoln - Nebraska women’s golf coach Robin Krapfl announced the signing of two talented student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Friday, Nov. 15.

Emily Gillman (Austin, Texas) and Audrey Judd (Olathe, Kan.) will join the Huskers as top 100 national recruits for the class of 2014. Both golfers will come to Nebraska as true freshmen for the 2014-15 season. Judd was ranked as the No. 70 player in the class of 2014 by the GolfWeek/Sagarin ratings, while Gillman was rated No. 100.

Gillman was a four-year varsity starter on an Austin Lake Travis team that finished in the top three at the Texas state high school championships each of the last three years, including a Class 5A state title in 2013. Gillman has finished in the top 25 individually at the state tournament all three years, and will complete her senior season in the spring of 2014. A three-time academic all-stater as well, Gillman also qualified for the U.S. Junior Girls National Championship in 2013.

Judd comes to Lincoln as a two-time Kansas Class 6A state individual champion from Olathe Northwest High School. She repeated as a state champion as a senior during the fall of 2013 in Kansas’s largest classification. Over the past two years, Judd captured medalist honors in all but two of the high school tournaments in which she competed.

“We are very excited about this year’s recruiting class. We feel like these young ladies possess all of the intangibles that will make them highly successful student-athletes at Nebraska,” Krapfl said. “They are both leaders, team players and great students. They have high standards and excellent work ethics.

“Emily and Audrey both have the desire to make Nebraska a force in the Big Ten and nationally. I’m excited about the leadership and confidence they bring. I’m excited about their passion for Nebraska Golf, and I am excited about the quality of the two individuals we are adding to our program.”

Emily GillmanAustin, Texas (Austin Lake Travis) Emily Gillman was ranked as the No. 100 player in the GolfWeek/Sagarin ratings for the Class of 2014. Gillman is a four-year varsity starter on an Austin Lake Travis team that captured the 2013 Texas Class 5A high school state championship. While Austin Lake Travis won its first state title in its first season in Class 5A, success on the course was nothing new for Gillman under Coach Randy Morris.

The Cavaliers finished second as a team in Class 4A during Gillman’s freshman season in 2011, when she took 15th individually. As a sophomore in 2012, Gillman climbed to 11th individually at the Class 4A state tournament, posting a two-round total of 154 (79-75) as the Cavaliers’ top finisher on its way to a third-place team finish. She finished 25th individually at the 2013 state championships with a two-round score of 155 that included a second-round 73.

She earned second-team all-state honors in 2012, and was an honorable-mention all-stater in both 2011 and 2013.

The three-time academic all-stater also qualified for the U.S. Junior Girls National Championship in 2013. She finished 10th at the PGA Junior Series event at Arbor Links in 2013. She finished eighth at Arbor Links in 2012.

“Emily is just beginning to come into her own as a golfer,” Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. “She is still relatively young in her commitment to the game. From the first time I saw her compete this past summer, she has really developed as a competitor and I truly believe she is about to make a huge jump in her game. Emily has all the physical tools to be a great collegiate golfer, and I think the one area that will set her apart is her preparation and mental approach. She understands what it takes to become special, and I am excited to watch her grow and develop into that special player I believe she will become.”

Gillman said her visit to Lincoln made her decision an easy one.

“When I visited, it felt like it was the perfect place for me,” Gillman said. “I loved the golf program and everything the school has to offer.”

Audrey JuddOlathe, Kan. (Olathe Northwest) Audrey Judd was ranked as the No. 70 player in the GolfWeek/Sagarin ratings for the Class of 2014. Judd comes to Lincoln as a two-time Kansas Class 6A state individual champion from Olathe Northwest High School, capturing the 2013 title last month in Garden City. She was also the 2012 state champion. Over the past two years, Judd captured medalist honors in all but two of the high school tournaments in which she competed, including a pair of regional titles and two Sunflower League championships for Coach Sydney Tucker at Olathe Northwest.

The top-ranked female golfer in the state of Kansas, she was also the top-ranked junior golfer in the six-state area of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Judd was a four-year letterwinner in golf and has also earned one varsity letter in basketball.

During the summer of 2013, Judd won the PGA Junior Series at Arbor Links with a three-round total of 220 (70-71-79), after finishing fourth at the event in 2012. In addition to her remarkable high school success, Judd finished 21st at the 2012 Trusted Choice Big I National Championships. She finished fourth at the PGA Junior Series event at Arbor Links and eighth at the AJGA Nebraska Junior at Quarry Oaks in the summer of 2012.

“Audrey is a competitor and I am excited to add another player with that grit and determination to win. It will only help us get where we want to go as a team,” Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. “I love her passion and work ethic. She has above average length and even with the success she has had, I feel Audrey still has a lot of potential growth as a player. She can be an outstanding Big Ten and nationally competitive player. Audrey brings a lot of experience competing in the top junior tournaments around the country, and she knows what it takes to be great.”

Judd said she chose Nebraska over Denver, Michigan, San Diego State, BYU, Georgetown and Minnesota.

“I chose Nebraska because I believe this program has the potential to reach new heights,” Judd said. “I believe in my coaches and the team, and the University can’t be matched in athletic support. I know they will give me the essentials I need to reach my dreams. I know that Coach Krapfl and Mike (Schuchart) believe in me, and in return I hope to build their program to one of the best in the country. It can be done with hard work, dedication and faith. I look forward to it.”